By Christian P. Koop

Last month an automotive repair trade magazine had “COMMITMENT TO TRAINING” printed on its cover.

I am sure most already know how important training is for technicians in general, but I think it is even more important for emergency response vehicle technicians (EVTs) who maintain and repair modern fire and rescue apparatus. This is mainly because of the many complex systems from different manufacturers that are integrated into one piece of equipment. Unlike dealership technicians working on cars and light trucks from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who only need specialized training from one manufacturer, EVTs need training from multiple manufacturers. Because of this huge difference and the fact that EVTs work on life-saving equipment, adequate in-depth technician training is a must. Well-trained technicians can also make a big difference in repair quality and reduced equipment downtime. This equates to fewer comebacks or rework and better overall shop productivity. I know there have always been fears from shop managers about losing good technicians after investing time and money in training only for the techs to leave for other jobs. But with a good incentive program in place, retaining good techs should not be a problem.

Justifying the Expense

I know some organizations look at technician training as an expense. In reality, it is an investment that will pay dividends in the long haul. There are systems today that require following exact service or repair procedures. Failure to do so could end up maiming or even killing someone. Gone are the days when savvy techs could use their past experiences and knowledge to get them through jobs that were difficult to diagnose and repair. Organizations that maintain and repair emergency response vehicles (ERVs) need to understand this and develop a commitment to training if they expect high-quality, timely repairs from their technicians. To do this, they need to understand just how important up-to-date technician training has become and that effective, efficient, root-cause failure analysis is directly linked to knowledgeable and highly trained technicians.

A good example of this is diagnosing and solving tough electrical problems that are more common than you would think with ERVs. A tech who has been properly trained may spend a fraction of the time solving the problem compared with a good tech who has not been trained on the system. The other important aspect for agencies that maintain and repair ERVs is that their technicians are required to be certified. This is an area that will expose the organization to liabilities if someone is injured or killed because of a faulty repair-particularly if the technician performing the repair was not qualified or certified to perform the repair.

NFPA and Other Organizations

I think it best that these two important areas-training and certification-go hand in hand. As many are aware, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1071, Standard for Emergency Vehicle Technician Professional Qualifications, defines the qualifications technicians must have to maintain and repair the equipment. NFPA 1071 divides technicians into three distinct levels or categories that indicate what maintenance or repairs they are authorized or qualified to perform based on a recognized certificate, professional standing, a skill they have developed, education, or training in the specific area and that he has the experience and has essentially demonstrated the abilities necessary to get the job done.

Far and wide the most common or accepted way to demonstrate this is by certification through nationally recognized programs offered by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) a

By Alan M. Petrillo

An engine company’s minimum complement of ground ladders, as dictated by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus (2016 ed.), comprises one extension ladder, one straight ladder equipped with roof hooks, and one attic ladder.

But, sometimes, those ladders don’t fit a situation where firefighters find themselves because of a tight space, inadequate room, hard-to-access ingress, uneven surfaces, or another type of issue. However, there are ladder types that go beyond the typical ladder complement to fit those situations.

1 The model 35B is a traditional jackknife-style combination ladder made by Duo-Safety Ladder that can be converted from a straight ladder to an A-frame. (Photo courtesy of Duo-Safety Ladder.)

Combination Ladders

Randy Vandersee, plant manager of Duo-Safety Ladder, says Duo-Safety makes two versions of an A-frame or combination ladder that work well in unusual circumstances. “Our 300A model works as an extension ladder where the fly slides up, as well as an A-frame ladder that has a spreader assembly similar to a step ladder,” Vandersee says. “This ladder is available in a six- to nine-foot length (six feet A-frame and nine feet extension), an eight- to 13-foot length, and a 10- to 15-foot length.”

2 Little Giant Ladder Systems makes the Overhaul, a multipurpose, triple combination ladder that can serve as an A-frame, a roof, or an attic ladder and has a carrying handle. (Photo courtesy of Little Giant Ladder Systems.)

Duo-Safety also makes the model 35B, a traditional jackknife-style combination ladder, Vandersee points out. “It’s often used to bridge a fence or wall,” he notes. “It folds in the center and comes in six- to 12-foot, seven- to 14-foot, and eight- to 16-foot lengths.”

Sam Cramer, chief executive officer at Alco-Lite, a product line made by Sam Carbis Solutions Group, says that Alco-Lite makes the CJL series ladder, which is a short extension and A-frame combination ladder. “We’ve made the CJL series for years, and it has traditionally sold well in the New York and Pennsylvania areas,” Cramer says. “It can be an A-frame or stepladder when needed or be reconfigured into an extension ladder in 10-, 12-, 14-, and 16-foot lengths. In the A-frame configuration, it runs from six to 10 feet high.”

3 This MT-22 model ladder, made by Werner Company, can function as a straight ladder or as an adjustable A-frame stairway ladder as shown. (Photo courtesy of Werner Company.)

Lyndon Walpole, vice presiden

By Alan M. Petrillo

An engine company’s minimum complement of ground ladders, as dictated by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus (2016 ed.), comprises one extension ladder, one straight ladder equipped with roof hooks, and one attic ladder.

But, sometimes, those ladders don’t fit a situation where firefighters find themselves because of a tight space, inadequate room, hard-to-access ingress, uneven surfaces, or another type of issue. However, there are ladder types that go beyond the typical ladder complement to fit those situations.

1 The model 35B is a traditional jackknife-style combination ladder made by Duo-Safety Ladder that can be converted from a straight ladder to an A-frame. (Photo courtesy of Duo-Safety Ladder.)

Combination Ladders

Randy Vandersee, plant manager of Duo-Safety Ladder, says Duo-Safety makes two versions of an A-frame or combination ladder that work well in unusual circumstances. “Our 300A model works as an extension ladder where the fly slides up, as well as an A-frame ladder that has a spreader assembly similar to a step ladder,” Vandersee says. “This ladder is available in a six- to nine-foot length (six feet A-frame and nine feet extension), an eight- to 13-foot length, and a 10- to 15-foot length.”

2 Little Giant Ladder Systems makes the Overhaul, a multipurpose, triple combination ladder that can serve as an A-frame, a roof, or an attic ladder and has a carrying handle. (Photo courtesy of Little Giant Ladder Systems.)

Duo-Safety also makes the model 35B, a traditional jackknife-style combination ladder, Vandersee points out. “It’s often used to bridge a fence or wall,” he notes. “It folds in the center and comes in six- to 12-foot, seven- to 14-foot, and eight- to 16-foot lengths.”

Sam Cramer, chief executive officer at Alco-Lite, a product line made by Sam Carbis Solutions Group, says that Alco-Lite makes the CJL series ladder, which is a short extension and A-frame combination ladder. “We’ve made the CJL series for years, and it has traditionally sold well in the New York and Pennsylvania areas,” Cramer says. “It can be an A-frame or stepladder when needed or be reconfigured into an extension ladder in 10-, 12-, 14-, and 16-foot lengths. In the A-frame configuration, it runs from six to 10 feet high.”

3 This MT-22 model ladder, made by Werner Company, can function as a straight ladder or as an adjustable A-frame stairway ladder as shown. (Photo courtesy of Werner Company.)

Lyndon Walpole, vice presiden

By Alan M. Petrillo

An engine company’s minimum complement of ground ladders, as dictated by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus (2016 ed.), comprises one extension ladder, one straight ladder equipped with roof hooks, and one attic ladder.

But, sometimes, those ladders don’t fit a situation where firefighters find themselves because of a tight space, inadequate room, hard-to-access ingress, uneven surfaces, or another type of issue. However, there are ladder types that go beyond the typical ladder complement to fit those situations.

1 The model 35B is a traditional jackknife-style combination ladder made by Duo-Safety Ladder that can be converted from a straight ladder to an A-frame. (Photo courtesy of Duo-Safety Ladder.)

Combination Ladders

Randy Vandersee, plant manager of Duo-Safety Ladder, says Duo-Safety makes two versions of an A-frame or combination ladder that work well in unusual circumstances. “Our 300A model works as an extension ladder where the fly slides up, as well as an A-frame ladder that has a spreader assembly similar to a step ladder,” Vandersee says. “This ladder is available in a six- to nine-foot length (six feet A-frame and nine feet extension), an eight- to 13-foot length, and a 10- to 15-foot length.”

2 Little Giant Ladder Systems makes the Overhaul, a multipurpose, triple combination ladder that can serve as an A-frame, a roof, or an attic ladder and has a carrying handle. (Photo courtesy of Little Giant Ladder Systems.)

Duo-Safety also makes the model 35B, a traditional jackknife-style combination ladder, Vandersee points out. “It’s often used to bridge a fence or wall,” he notes. “It folds in the center and comes in six- to 12-foot, seven- to 14-foot, and eight- to 16-foot lengths.”

Sam Cramer, chief executive officer at Alco-Lite, a product line made by Sam Carbis Solutions Group, says that Alco-Lite makes the CJL series ladder, which is a short extension and A-frame combination ladder. “We’ve made the CJL series for years, and it has traditionally sold well in the New York and Pennsylvania areas,” Cramer says. “It can be an A-frame or stepladder when needed or be reconfigured into an extension ladder in 10-, 12-, 14-, and 16-foot lengths. In the A-frame configuration, it runs from six to 10 feet high.”

3 This MT-22 model ladder, made by Werner Company, can function as a straight ladder or as an adjustable A-frame stairway ladder as shown. (Photo courtesy of Werner Company.)

Lyndon Walpole, vice presiden